My targets....your opinions please??

[bassquatch]

I had a .308 that looked similar on the range, sold it for not very much to, fortunately, a friend.  He discovered the scope had a bouncy crosshair in it.  Looks like time for a new scope. 

I love my -06's though now.  Every one shoots 165s (168s) much better than 180s for accuracy.  My suggestions would have matched many of the ones given such as the copper solvent.  However, I didn't see this one, though I may have missed it....  When I got my A-bolt in the 80's I took it to the range in SoCal.  It was 90 degrees out and I would wait almost twenty minutes between shots sometimes for the barrel to cool.  Maybe, even in our cooler temperatures, you are still not giving it as much time to cool between shots as it needs?

Yep, I'm thinking scope at this point, it couldn't hurt at least! I'm going to throw a Vortex Diamondback on it this week and go back to the range, if I don't see improvement then I know it's the gun. If I do see improvement then the Leupold goes in for warranty....either way I'm good cause it either shoots the same or gets better 

Easiest thing to do would be sell me the 700 for 300 bucks cash, and chunk the money down on a tikka 300 short mag(my buddy has 2 of em that shot a 1/2 inch group with a leupold 3x10 first time at range)  :chuckle:You'll get er dialed but it's evident copper is not your shooters freind

That may just happen  I feel I cleaned the copper out pretty dang good? I'll see what the new scope does? I am not beyond the new Tikka and scope idea, just trying to avoid the cash out right now!

[wildweeds]

Action to stock screws tight and even/equal ? Kind of a dumb question but thought it may be overlooked?

[bassquatch]

Action to stock screws tight and even/equal ? Kind of a dumb question but thought it may be overlooked?

Yep. Double checked every screw on the thing when all this started. I think I have it figured? I will update again Monday. Thanks to everyone for the input, I really have tried to research and use as many suggestions as I could. It has been a massive learning experience! I'm never afraid to say I goofed, it means I'm human, it also means I'm willing to learn, of which I do quickly, these suggestions and all the research will aid me tremendously when I step up into a new rifle next year.....or Monday 

[wastickslinger]

By looking at the groups Id have to say it looks like your shooting a 30-06.  Sorry I know 2 jabs in one thread. Im sure your frusterated this close to hunting. I had a 22-250 that did very similar things as your gun is doing. I used wipe out copper remover, no luck. I changed my rings and bases, no luck. I changed scopes, no luck. Are you running a snake or something through it between groups? Sounds like when you cleaned it there was a lot of crud. Makes me wonder if for some reason your getting more than normal fouling after a few shots.
I will tell you that a tikka .270 or 7mm with a vortex viper PST will solve your problem. 

[bassquatch]

By looking at the groups Id have to say it looks like your shooting a 30-06.  Sorry I know 2 jabs in one thread. Im sure your frusterated this close to hunting. I had a 22-250 that did very similar things as your gun is doing. I used wipe out copper remover, no luck. I changed my rings and bases, no luck. I changed scopes, no luck. Are you running a snake or something through it between groups? Sounds like when you cleaned it there was a lot of crud. Makes me wonder if for some reason your getting more than normal fouling after a few shots.
I will tell you that a tikka .270 or 7mm with a vortex viper PST will solve your problem. 

My thoughts exactly!  Going to try the new scope first as was suggested and since I will need a new one for the Tikka anyways. It get 10 rounds PERIOD! It either groups or goes bye bye and I will spend Tuesday breaking in the new Tikka properly 

[lokidog]

Shoot on a cool day, not hard this time of year at least, and give a little more time between your shots as it seems your barrel moves a bit with the heat.

Good luck!

[thinkingman]

By looking at the groups Id have to say it looks like your shooting a 30-06.  Sorry I know 2 jabs in one thread. Im sure your frusterated this close to hunting. I had a 22-250 that did very similar things as your gun is doing. I used wipe out copper remover, no luck. I changed my rings and bases, no luck. I changed scopes, no luck. Are you running a snake or something through it between groups? Sounds like when you cleaned it there was a lot of crud. Makes me wonder if for some reason your getting more than normal fouling after a few shots.
I will tell you that a tikka .270 or 7mm with a vortex viper PST will solve your problem. 

My thoughts exactly!  Going to try the new scope first as was suggested and since I will need a new one for the Tikka anyways. It get 10 rounds PERIOD! It either groups or goes bye bye and I will spend Tuesday breaking in the new Tikka properly 

Cut your losses.
You can always find someone to buy a Leupold/R700 combo for much more than it's worth.
Now let's debate the cartridge for your Tikka!

[bassquatch]

By looking at the groups Id have to say it looks like your shooting a 30-06.  Sorry I know 2 jabs in one thread. Im sure your frusterated this close to hunting. I had a 22-250 that did very similar things as your gun is doing. I used wipe out copper remover, no luck. I changed my rings and bases, no luck. I changed scopes, no luck. Are you running a snake or something through it between groups? Sounds like when you cleaned it there was a lot of crud. Makes me wonder if for some reason your getting more than normal fouling after a few shots.
I will tell you that a tikka .270 or 7mm with a vortex viper PST will solve your problem. 

My thoughts exactly!  Going to try the new scope first as was suggested and since I will need a new one for the Tikka anyways. It get 10 rounds PERIOD! It either groups or goes bye bye and I will spend Tuesday breaking in the new Tikka properly 

Cut your losses.
You can always find someone to buy a Leupold/R700 combo for much more than it's worth.
Now let's debate the cartridge for your Tikka!

I'm pretty set on a .270 but may end up with another .06 because .270 ammo is sold out everywhere!

[wastickslinger]

By looking at the groups Id have to say it looks like your shooting a 30-06.  Sorry I know 2 jabs in one thread. Im sure your frusterated this close to hunting. I had a 22-250 that did very similar things as your gun is doing. I used wipe out copper remover, no luck. I changed my rings and bases, no luck. I changed scopes, no luck. Are you running a snake or something through it between groups? Sounds like when you cleaned it there was a lot of crud. Makes me wonder if for some reason your getting more than normal fouling after a few shots.
I will tell you that a tikka .270 or 7mm with a vortex viper PST will solve your problem. 

My thoughts exactly!  Going to try the new scope first as was suggested and since I will need a new one for the Tikka anyways. It get 10 rounds PERIOD! It either groups or goes bye bye and I will spend Tuesday breaking in the new Tikka properly 

Cut your losses.
You can always find someone to buy a Leupold/R700 combo for much more than it's worth.
Now let's debate the cartridge for your Tikka!

I'm pretty set on a .270 but may end up with another .06 because .270 ammo is sold out everywhere!

Man you were headed in the right direction until you mentioned another 06.    Id rather buy a .243

[bassquatch]

By looking at the groups Id have to say it looks like your shooting a 30-06.  Sorry I know 2 jabs in one thread. Im sure your frusterated this close to hunting. I had a 22-250 that did very similar things as your gun is doing. I used wipe out copper remover, no luck. I changed my rings and bases, no luck. I changed scopes, no luck. Are you running a snake or something through it between groups? Sounds like when you cleaned it there was a lot of crud. Makes me wonder if for some reason your getting more than normal fouling after a few shots.
I will tell you that a tikka .270 or 7mm with a vortex viper PST will solve your problem. 

My thoughts exactly!  Going to try the new scope first as was suggested and since I will need a new one for the Tikka anyways. It get 10 rounds PERIOD! It either groups or goes bye bye and I will spend Tuesday breaking in the new Tikka properly 

Cut your losses.
You can always find someone to buy a Leupold/R700 combo for much more than it's worth.
Now let's debate the cartridge for your Tikka!

I'm pretty set on a .270 but may end up with another .06 because .270 ammo is sold out everywhere!

Man you were headed in the right direction until you mentioned another 06.    Id rather buy a .243

I know I know, it's what I'm used to though and I already have the ammo. I like the versatility of the .06 rounds, both my critters dropped in their tracks and that's what really matters! I will have a .270 one day but doubt I will ever be into the magnums? I'll be happy and confident and that's half the battle 

Tikka T3 Stainless Steel SuperLite Camo is waiting for me as we speak, just need to get off work! 

[Bill W]

You didn't say anything about how good of a shot you are.   If you are average then both groups are pretty good.

Your barrel shouldn't move around in the stock when shot.  I'd say you need to bed your action, either with fiberglass or pillars.   That would fix what ever is moving or getting stressed in your rifle's action.

Next thing to be address is did you shoot in Range 1 (Members only) or in Range 2 (Public shooters).   Back when I shot off the Range 2 benches I could move the bench the equivalent of 6 inches at 100 yards.   Also were you using a front/rear rest/bags you brought or did you use the sandbags provided at Kenmore?   Changing hand position/sitting position on your rifle and inconsistent placement of the rifle in the rest will cause your impact points to move about.

I used to shoot in the benchrest matches at Kenmore and before moving to Moses Lake, was  a member there for about 30 years.

[JJB11B]

165s and 168s seem to shoot better with the 30-06's and .308s Ive had. I think the velocity has a lot to do with it. My 300 win mag loved the 180s but it was pushing a little faster

[bassquatch]

You didn't say anything about how good of a shot you are.   If you are average then both groups are pretty good.

Your barrel shouldn't move around in the stock when shot.  I'd say you need to bed your action, either with fiberglass or pillars.   That would fix what ever is moving or getting stressed in your rifle's action.

Next thing to be address is did you shoot in Range 1 (Members only) or in Range 2 (Public shooters).   Back when I shot off the Range 2 benches I could move the bench the equivalent of 6 inches at 100 yards.   Also were you using a front/rear rest/bags you brought or did you use the sandbags provided at Kenmore?   Changing hand position/sitting position on your rifle and inconsistent placement of the rifle in the rest will cause your impact points to move about.

I used to shoot in the benchrest matches at Kenmore and before moving to Moses Lake, was  a member there for about 30 years.

Compared to who?? I've out shot all of my friends. Never shot competitively but feel I am above average? The quarter on page 1 was me with my buddies AR-15, he only let me shoot 10 rounds and I hit that quarter 4 times and the only shot more than an inch away was the first one. I shot a buck at 176yards and there was no heart left...WITH THIS GUN!

I am chalking this rifle up to a learning experience and replacing it with a Tikka T3 Stainless Steel SuperLite Camo, I'm picking it up tonight and with everything I have researched and learned through this site and others it will have a long and happy accurate life 

Thanks for the input! 

165s and 168s seem to shoot better with the 30-06's and .308s Ive had. I think the velocity has a lot to do with it. My 300 win mag loved the 180s but it was pushing a little faster

I like the 165's too, this rifle never really had a problem with the 180's, that's what made the heart shot on my buck at 176yds.... I believe this rifle could do with a new stock, barrel and the scope will get repaired then my son can have it....or I will sell it and get him a Tikka after I fall in love with mine 

[jay.sharkbait]

After removing the copper, how many rounds did you fire before shooting the last series of groups?

[BNAElkhntr]

Jims suggestion might help you the most if you really want to tighten it up.    I use the square targets and aim for a bottom corner.   

  Shoot at circles you go in circles